A northern Kentucky lawmaker has proposed allowing more inmates around the state to have access to DNA testing.

The Kentucky Enquirer reported Republican state Sen. John Schickel of Union has thrown his support behind the measure, which is usually advocated by more liberal lawmakers.

The legislation proposed by Schickel would allow those accused of only the most serious felonies or crimes classified as violent to request testing. Currently, the state limits DNA testing to inmates on death row.

Schickel said he thinks it is "kind of strange" to offer DNA testing to death row inmates, but not to others.

A similar bill was proposed in the House. The General Assembly begins meeting next month.